Chargers place 2 players on PUP

Ingram, Taylor working back from torn ACL; D.J. Smith a notable omission

There was no doubt Melvin Ingram would begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

On Wednesday, the Chargers announced he'll have company.

Strong safety Brandon Taylor joins the outside linebacker on PUP, making both ineligible to participate Thursday when the team holds its first practice of training camp. The session, open to the public, runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Chargers Park.

Both second-year players are rehabbing a torn ACL.

Ingram, a first-round draft choice, suffered his injury in May on the second day of organized team activities. He planted awkwardly when making an inside pass rush from the left edge.

Taylor tore his knee against the Jets last December and underwent reconstructive surgery in January. While there was hope in June the 23-year-old would be ready for camp, his road to recovery was considered more complex than Ingram's, given the nature of the injury.

Either player can be activated from PUP and return to practice at any time in camp, but that option is only realistic for Taylor. Ingram could very well begin the regular season on PUP, rendering him inactive for the first six weeks and eligible to return to practice sometime during the following three weeks.

Marcus Gilchrist will continue to take first-team reps at strong safety with Taylor out. The 2011 second-round pick switched to safety this offseason after working primarily at cornerback — mostly in the slot — during his Chargers career.